[Invasive-species] Information & Communication LIFE+ project on invasive plants

[Mathieu Halford]

Dear colleagues,

May I inform you that an Information & 
Communication LIFE project on invasive plants has 
started in Belgium since January 2010, for a 
duration of 4 years. The project aims at setting 
up communication actions and preventive measures 
in order to reduce the voluntary introduction and 
dissemination of invasive alien plant species out 
of gardens and public opens spaces in Belgium 
(Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels region). The 
whole horticultural network is targeted, with a 
special focus on (1) horticulture professionals 
(nursery men, garden and park managers, 
administrative departments responsible for 
plantations, garden contractors and garden 
centers); (2) horticultural schools and (3) 
garden amateurs. The project mainly focuses on 
terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants 
considered as detrimental to the environment and 
distributed through the horticultural sector (see 
the black list and the watch list of invasive 
plants listed on http://ias.biodiversity.be/ias/).

The main objectives are : (1) raising an 
awareness campaign about invasive plants; (2) the 
development of codes of conduct for horticulture 
professionals; (3) informing the horticultural teaching sector.

All the communication tools shall be used in 
order to reach our public target : website, 
animation of information sessions, production of 
a DVD, articles in journals and horticultural 
magasines, publication of brochures, folders, 
posters, participation in horticultural events, 
communication with media (radio and TV reportages), etc.

The partners of the project are:

- Coordinating beneficiary : Laboratory of 
Ecology of ULg Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (Mathieu Halford: mhalford at ulg.ac.be)
- Associated beneficiary : Centre Technique 
Horticole de Gembloux (Catherine Mathys: 
mathyscatherine at gmail.com), Proefcentrum voor 
Sierteelt (Leen Heemers: 
Leen.Heemers at pcsierteelt.be) and FPS-Environment 
(Sabine Wallens: Sabine.Wallens at health.fgov.be)
- Co-financiers :  European Commission, SPW/DNF, ANB, IBGE-BIM

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need 
any further information about the project.

Best regards,
Mathieu Halford
----------------------------------------------------------
Ing. M. Halford
Laboratoire d'Ecologie
Université de Liège
Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (GxABT)
Passage des Déportés, 2
5030 Gembloux
Belgique
Tél. : 081/62.22.44
Fax : 081/61.48.17
Mail : mhalford at ulg.ac.be